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Sunday, November 15, 2009

Autmun on the Island and a Makeover

Dear Ones, I want to thank Justine at Stupid is as Sister Does and Connie at Living Beautifully for all of their help to make my new blog button work. These gals know everything - I know nothing! Justine finally just did it all for me. Thank you, Dear One! Pop in for a visit and tell them I sent you!Now if you would like to take my little new button with you ~ please do! :)

Hello, Dear Ones! So many of you are sharing all of the orangey colors of Fall in the areas where you live. Well, that is what I'm doing today!

I got out early to catch the sunrise just for you!

I wanted to share some Fall colors too! This is the color of Fall in the Gulf of Mexico! Blue! Isn't it lovely?

We have lots of little visitors to our island - the pelicans. I just love these awkward looking birds. I played with the background for this mosaic.

So I hope you've enjoyed seeing a little island Fallness today!

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Now to a tiny makeover...now bear with me, I said tiny! :)

See this olden tray? I'll bet most of you would have just passed it by. Well no no Nannette, not me! I fell in love with this big olden wooden nasty looking tray! Yes, I did!

When I got this olden tray home I flipped it over and found these words on the back. Hmm...I was all ready to paint. See, I can spray paint too! But decided I would tape over the writing and I would get down to finding out about my olden tray later after a good ole paint job.

Look, my olden tray painted Ivory to look, well, olden. I decided to distress my tray. This was my first time at doing this and it was fun. Now don't laugh at me, so many of you take huge furniture pieces and go to town distressing. But, Dear Ones, I have to start small! I liked the way it looked and decided to spray a sealer on it.

I must tell you I went right to the internet and found out about my olden tray. This is an ad about my olden tray from the 40s 0r 50s. Now my Dearest Tiny Ones, sit down and I will tell you a little story and you know how I love to tell you little stories! :)

Once upon a time, in the olden year of 1926, the first pop-up toaster was born! The "Toastmaster" brand toaster was sold for $12.50 and its ad promised "perfect toast every time - without watching, without turning, without burning". I'm so glad someone thought of all these functions we all take for granted today, aren't you? :)

From 1933 to the 1950s times were a lot different than today. These earlier times were full of stay at home moms who were busy with their families, participating in clubs, parties and ladies groups therefore the need for this accessory. Well, we still have stay at home moms doing the same thing today, but I'm talking about more on the lines of June Cleaver and Donna Reed. You More Olden Like Me Ones know what I'm talking about. So the "Toastmaster Hospitality Set and the Toastmaster Hospitality Deluxe Set" was born! Doesn't this just make you all tingly inside? ;) Making life easier for us ladies was their motto!

A typical Toastmaster set would include a wooden hospitality tray along with a Franciscan jam jar set or waffle set. The waffle set consisted of a batter bowl, a syrup pitcher and chromium ladle that would measure exactly enough batter in one scoop. The jam set would have one or two jars with lids and a small plate in which toast could be held. Of course sitting in the middle of the tray would be either the toaster or the waffle maker. Some of the models included a toast cutting board and little relish trays. Oh, wouldn't it have been marvelous if my olden tray had had all these things intact?

Don't you just know every bride to be would have this Hospitality Hostess Set on her gift list? This would make such an impression on her guests as she entertained. I'm sure she was just a dreamin' of the day she would have her Hospitality Hostess Set. :)

Now fast forward to today...

I had to add a touch of oldeness to my tray with a little doily my grandmother embroidered and crocheted around the edges. Isn't this sweet? She would be so pleased to know I just cherish her work and use it in my home.

I thought I would set my tray for tea time using a pretty white tea set and lovely little tea cup and saucer.

I think it gives me a little feel of olden elegance to use these tiny little sugar cube tongs!

Does this spout on my tea pot remind you of a beautiful bird? I think it does! :) Do you think this was on purpose?

I added two little crystal serving trays filled with little tasties for my tea time. Well, I know you're seeing lots of lemons but hey, I had a couple ripen on my tree early and I wanted to share them with you. Aren't these slices so juicy looking? I just had to have a bit of cheese! We love cheese!

Since we've had a little bit of cooler weather, my tiny knock out roses are beginning to bloom. I just had to cut one and show you. So tiny and sweet and pink!

After my tea time, I reset my olden recently newly painted to look olden tray with another little tea set just to look at! Those red roses were given to me by my most precious Mr. Precious! I had to share!

A matchbox of our ownA fence of real chain linkA grill out on the patioDisposal in the sinkA washer and a dryer andan ironing machineIn a tract house that we shareSomewhere that's green

He rakes and trims the grassHe loves to mow and weedI cook like Betty Crocker And I look like Donna ReedThere's plastic on the furniture To keep it neat and cleanIn the Pine-Sol scented air,Somewhere that's green

Hi Shelia! I love your photos of the Gulf! I also discovered that the only orange at the beach in the Fall is the sunset!! And I think your hostess set is just lovely! Were you wearing your June Cleaver pearls when you were serving tea? lol Have a wonderful week!...hugs...Debbie

Listen, I copied and pasted, and it worked just fine. Then I took it off because BJ said that all of this stuff is slowing us down. I just stripped my blog of the blingy things and of the music. Can you get on my blog okay? I never have trouble loading except some of the ones with bigger pics. Yours are fine, though. Just tested.

I am now thinking of being a lean, mean fighthing machine, but that makes me kind of sad. I have a lot of visitors so I don't think I'm too top heavy with shiny objects on my sidebar. But I don't know. Hmmm... decisions, decisions.

Listen, I copied and pasted, and it worked just fine. Then I took it off because BJ said that all of this stuff is slowing us down. I just stripped my blog of the blingy things and of the music. Can you get on my blog okay? I never have trouble loading except some of the ones with bigger pics. Yours are fine, though. Just tested.

I am now thinking of being a lean, mean fighthing machine, but that makes me kind of sad. I have a lot of visitors so I don't think I'm too top heavy with shiny objects on my sidebar. But I don't know. Hmmm... decisions, decisions.

Oh Shelia, I just love to read your posts. They are always just the greatest. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your wonderful tray and the story that goes with it. Both tea sets are stunning. What a super find. Hugs, Marty

Dear Sheila, I thoroughly enjoyed this post :o) Liking your tray; for some reason the only trays I see are plastic. Lovely transfer ware too. I have some brown ones that I might post soon :o) Hope you had a bleesed day.Hugs

I love the olden tray, Shelia and how you dressed it up in all of your finery! How pretty all of your things are. And I think you really got a treasure, reading the history of the hostess tray...it was very interesting!! You have a lemon tree?? Oh goodness...and roses blooming!! And beautiful sunsets and pelicans? BTW, the picture of the pelicans on the dock that you tweaked it gorgeous!!

Lots of memories for us brides from the 1950s. There were all kinds of hospitality sets available for the June Cleaver types. I was one of them complete with a frilly apron!! What fun this post was!!! Sally

Thank you for sharing Fall in your world! Beautiful photos.Now to the tray - I love it! What an interesting bit of history and what a neat find. You did a good job distressing it and I love your pictures with it set up for tea time. I hope the week ahead is a good one for you.

Hi Sheila,Everyone of your posts are so much fun and beautiful to boot! You just have that knack girl, such talent! Loving your tray, the story, the pretty china and the oh so beautiful roses! I am lovin your pics of the outdoors too, so different than here right now. Thanks for sharing, Cindy

Hi Sheila, Thanks so much for the history lesson. I love history, especially about women. When I was little I thought Donna Reed was the perfect woman and I wanted to grow up to be just like her. Sadly, I failed miserably. And I always forget to wear my pearls when I'm vacuuming, gosh darn me. Your tray turned out fabulous. Enjoy.

Well, alls I can say is that this post deserves a "SMASHING!! simply smashing my dear!! WOWOOO. I loved it. How interesting about that tray. So comical in some ways and sad in others---but I guess since lots of us still love these things there is hope ;-). Oh--the tray settings you should use for tablescape Thursday, girl!!These were awesome---so beautiful. I love the purple tea cup! I often have tea on a tray, but not fancy like yours!! WOOOO

Oh Pickle I love your olden tray and what you did with it and girl I do have the toaster that goes with it...its OK to hate me...ha ha!! Love alwys my visits with you my dear friend...Hope all is well with you health wise and hows that grabd baby baking girL...Many hugs and smiles to you dear one....Gl♥ria

Hi SheliaYour tray looks beautiful ..and to think it was actually made in the USA! Hard to find that now.I love all your mosaics...the picture in a picture were especially nice. The pelicans were fun to see! Have a good week!XO Pat

Trash to Treasure for sure Miss Shelia. I distress everything even Randy, oh that's stress sorry lolLove your beautiful tray and it's history. Glad you taped over it.I want to go to the BEACH!!!!!! NOW!!!!!! Ok now I feel better and I must get to bed. It's after 1:00. I keep saying that, but I never get my "derriere" off this chair.Love You Nannette Love Claudiexoxoxoxo

I have had so little time to do any blog reading and I have missed it...stop by my Christmas blog and leave a comment. The giveaway is a great Christmas CD to add to your collection. http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com

Shelia, I just love this post - sooo intesting! The beach pics are just fab...you and Debbie @Conffesions are fab photographers! Did y'all see ach other there? But the tray - oh, my! I love that story and your finished product is just gorgeous! Well done, spray paint lady! Linda

Oh Shelia! Your mosaics are just beautiful and your water pics of Galveston are superb! We went fishing and crabbing there once and got so much more that we could handle. I love the story about your olden tray and you transformed and distressed it so perfectly. If you ever come for a visit, please scroll down one more post on my blog cause I would love for you to see my pictures of London. Thanks...Christine

What a MARVELOUS Monday post ;-)Before I forget, I love the Thanksgiving header and your nifty button. Glad you have friends to help you out with such things. You mosaics and photographs of the ocean are beautiful and the transformation of the tray nifty. You, my blogging friend, are a TREASURE in this virtual world! I'm glad to have encountered you and would LOVE to chat over tea and those delicious treats. Hope you're having a delightful day!Hugs and blessings,

You did a great job! I love it and I love the way you set your beautiful treasure perfectly for tea!And I appreciate the story and the olden advertisement! I really think I was born in the wrong time, I love all the ideas of the old 'housewife' advertisements, and the whole 'Donna Reed' and 'Ozzie & Harriet' and 'Leave It To Beaver' way of life! I love reading how being a housewife was a career! I think it's sad how it's been so denigrated today. That 'look' women get when they say they are a housewife, that 'sniff' some other women make like they've just smelled something horrible and then turn their attention to someone they feel is more 'worthy' of their attention, someone with a 'real' career.

I've had jobs outside my home in my life, but none of them have been anywhere near as fulfilling to me as the projects I've tackled in my house making it a home. None of them compare to preparing my home for family gatherings.I wish the 'art' of the housewife' would come back in vogue.It's nice to have blogs to visit, between old TV shows and blogland, I get my fix!

Wow Shelia! So many wonderful things to see here. Love your gulf shots and your tray redo is fabulous. Looks so sweet all decked out for tea!! That white tea set is so pretty and the tea cup...precious. Have a wonderful week!!

I remember this tray from one my mother had in the 50's ..we also had the toaster that lasted well over 25 years. I am loving all the beautiful things you are showing. Just wonderful and I do believe we must crown YOU the QUEEN OF MOSAICS. You do the BEST job on them ...they are always so pretty. And, I know you love doing them!I want to have a tea party but, alas, I gave my one and only tea pot to a precious granddaughter that loved it. I am now on the quest of another...so that I can invite YOU and all our friends to a tea party.hugness to you,bj

My friend, I'm just tickled pink for you!!! Not only did you find a fabulous tray (with grand history) but you also transformed it into a lovely piece!!! I do like the white...and the fact that you distressed it...so sweet!!! You did GOOD, Girlfriend!!!

Loved reading the history of the Toastmaster Hospitality Set! Ohhh...and aren't those olden ads just fabulous? I think they'd be fun to frame!

My friend, you set such a lovely tea on your new tray! It was absolutely gorgeous! That embroidered doily...soooo pretty and sooo perfect! Ohhh...and I love your red transferware teapot and pretties too! Red transferware is my favorite glassware!!!

Thank you so much for coming by and taking a peek at my faux fireplace project! Your sweet note just made my day!

Hello Sheila, I have missed your last few posts and I am so sorry. I have been down with a very bad cold. I tried to visit some but I was just not well. I am feeling better finally, today.

I love your olden tray and I can assure you I would not have given it up. It is a treasure. I love your story about it and the photos are just too cute. I'm glad you didn't paint over the info on the back. Your shabby chic white looks great. The tea party was so sweet. Is that cup and saucer pattern of violets Spode? It looks like a tea set pattern that I gave my DIL.

The doily looks sweet and the last tea set you displayed looks so sweet. Love the roses. Your hubby is a sweetie. I have pink knockout roses too. I love them.

Sheila, did your button work? I do not know how to do much on the computer. Beverly always helps me. She is so helpful and I am so thankful.

First of all, Shelia my sweetness, your photo's are just plain beautiful! Sadly, there are no Fall colors anywhere around where I live. Believe me I look. I buy dried ones or silks and do my best to bring those lovely colors into my home. I began in mid August, slowly, as I was a bit on the ill side and knew I would miss all of October. :( Your tray...is just precious! You shabbied it and oldened it just to perfection. Made me want to say "S'cuse me..." and sit right down for a cup of tea and a tidbit! :) All your beautiful white dishes and that lovely Pansey cup and saucer and the tiny pink roses... all so very cozy. Isn't it wonderful to see something change before your very eyes into something just perfect? I LOVE your tray! :)

At this point I wish to apologize for my JUMP into the Holiday season. Sweet Debbi did my blog background for me, this is her very busy season on ebay and etsy etc. and she asked if I would like it installed when she finished. (Since I am not too savy on here, she does installing..and I said that would be fine. So..here I am all outfitted for my favorite season..and want to be forgiven for sort of jumping the gun. I LOVE Fall..I was born in October...and I missed a lot of it this year. Faux colors in California or not..I love it! I have saved it for next year..all my lovely leaves...

Now..I am going to creep back and roll around in your Fallness..if of course..that is alright with you! :):)Sending you all the love and hugs I have in my heart.Mona

Wait! Wait! I..thought there were Fall colors! NOPE! YOU HAVE BLUE! LOL So...we are not alone..it's just that I always think the colors are everywhere but here..??? Serves me right..it's my guilty conscience getting to me..that's what it is! LOL

Oh Sheila, I love your olden tray. You did an outstanding job on it.. love all your beachy pictures. They especially look good to me tonight. We're getting a rain/snow mix.. and it is sooooo cold. Well, maybe not as cold as it sounds but gosh girl.. 39 now that's cold to me.. thank you for swinging in and seeing the start of the open house event. Stayed tuned upcoming pics are soon to appear..lol.. hugs ~lynne~

Hey Shelia; I just adore you olden tray,, and I am still waiting here in bed for my Tea......hehe.. It is just gorgeous,, great job... and I want to come to your house,, I so love your photos of Fall where you are,, the Ocean photos are so beautiful,, thanks for sharing with us... have a great week..

Now is that not the sweetest little tray on the planet...I'm pretty sure it is. :) Love what you did and that is a darling little tea set.

Be still by beating heart....you know my love of our dear gulf coast....one day I will live closer to that darling bay. It is just beautiful. I keep telling my Mister he needs to take a day off with me so he can drive me down there to watch the sunrise over the water....I would love that. You know we honeymooned their 10 years ago. Yes...Miss Shelia, I love your little bay.

You've been quite busy. In fact, you've been so very busy that you forgot to link in for Blue Monday! I had a rather busy day yesterday, so I just now came to visit and discovered that you THOUGHT that you linked in to Blue Monday.

Now Sheila...that was one of the most amazing makeovers I have ever seen! I am NOT kidding! Gosh...I've seen those old trays at yard sales up here many, many times and just passed them by. What you did with that was spectacular! I'm so proud of you! It's so shabby chic looking...is it really the same tray?? It sure doesn't look like it...really...I mean that. This was also a funny post....will all that olden and former olden stuff going on, you had me in stitches! Beautiful tea set and I am so jealous that you have a lemon tree??? My God!

Hi Shelia, I have been following your blog for a while and just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy it. I am a BOI, so I especially enjoy your pictures of Galveston. I also, have a black mini, that looks just like your Chloe!! She is my baby also and is very spoiled! It is jus something about that little face, with the big black eyes! Keep up the great blog and take care. Susan